NORBA NCS Series #1 - E1

Waco, TX, USA, March 11-14, 2004

Race 4 - March 14: Cross Country

Alisons victorious, Bishop takes day

Today it was Alison Dunlap (Luna Women) who took the victory in the final race
at NORBA #1 in Waco, Texas. Her win giving her valuable UCI points to go towards
her bid for the Olympic Games. In the men's event later in the afternoon, Jeremiah
Bishop (Trek VW East Coast) had a strong and crafty finish to take out the three-lap
event from overall tour winner Geoff Kabush (Maxxis). This is the first time
in three years that an American has won a cross country race in the NORBA series.

On the seven mile course that consisted of short power climbs adding up to
1000 feet of climbing per lap, and technical descents, it was Dunlap and tour
leader Alison Sydor who broke away early in the race. At the end of the first
of two laps, they had gained 1'30" on a chasing trio consisting of Willow Koerber
(RLX Ralph Loren), Katerina Hanusova (Luna Women) and Kiara Bisaro (Gearsracing).

The pair of Alison's worked hard together in the race which came down to a
sprint between them. Dunlap took the win from Sydor to take second overall in
the three-day tour, with Sydor taking second place on the day and maintaining
her first place overall to win the tour.

Dunlap's teammate Hanusova managed to take third followed by Koerber, with
Trek/VW rider Sue Haywood making up a lot of ground in the last lap to take
the final podium position.

Dunlap was thrilled with her win today saying "it was very motivating to ride
with Sydor during the race. I'm gradually picking up UCI points one race at
a time," she added. Points that are essential for her, if she is to come back
from her time out last year to claim the only spot available for US women in
the Olympic team.

A bit later, the men set of to race three laps, shortened from the advertised
four. In the first lap a group formed with all the big guns involved, namely
Seamus McGrath (Haro Bikes), Ryder Hesjedal (Gary Fisher-Subaru), Roland Green
(Trek/Volkswagen), Max Plankton (Rocky Mountain), Jeremy Horgan Kobelski (RLX
Ralph Lauren), Jason Sager (Thunderbirds), Bishop and Kabush.

The situation stayed the same for the majority of the race until just after
the final feed zone. Bishop decided against taking a feed and moved himself
up in order to get to the single track first. Kabush followed and when the single
track came the pair took off. They ended up with a gap of about 30" to the chasers
when finally Bishop attacked Kabush on the descent, taking five seconds out
of him by the bottom.

At this point Bishop flatted, but rode onwards regardless for the final kilometer
and managed to hold off his chaser by a mere two seconds.

Bishop was elated about the win explaining "he was lucky to get in the first
group from the beginning. At the bottom of the hill when I flatted with a kilometer
to go I thought to myself that 'this is no way to lost a NORBA', so I kept my
head down and managed to hold him off."

Kabush's effort put him in the lead of the overall race to take the tour win
from Hesjedal.